Long term antidepressants use!

[Lottie124]

Has anyone else been on antidepressants for a long time, I’m taking like 10 years plus! I’ve weaned off them in the past but have relapsed and ended up back on them! Im worries I’m
Addicted to then and won’t ever get off them! Or can they stop working at all?

That’s quite normal to have a relapse some xx months later for some people. It doesn’t mean your addicted just maybe mean your prone to either anxiety or depression.
It also could be that you may not off weaned if at a slow enough pace, they say on ad’s site drop by 10% and drop drop again till you feel no s/e
very slowly this way your brain gets more used to the drop.

Lots of medications cause physical dependency, it's just how they work. The body adjusts to having the medication's support.

If they keep you well so that you can live your life, why does it matter?

I've been on them a lot longer than ten years. Taking them means I can live a totally normal life. I've weaned myself off a couple of times but the depression comes back and that isn't good. If it means I'm on them forever, that's fine with me.

I've been on Seroxat for about 20 years. I don't see why you feel the need to stop taking them if they made you feel better. I see taking ad's like a diabetic takes insulin.

@tillytoodles1 same drug, same length of time as me, then.

It's not prescribed as much these days, but it works for me.

[quote DramaAlpaca]@tillytoodles1 same drug, same length of time as me, then.

It's not prescribed as much these days, but it works for me.[/quote]
Me too. Like you, they enable me to live a normal life.

Nearly 20 years for me (since 16)
Cannot function without them unfortunately

I’ve been on Venlafaxine of varying doses for about 17 years. I’ve just reduced my dose and am ok.
Maybe I’ll get off them eventually but not at the cost of functioning well

21 years and counting. At maximum dose. Throughout both pregnancies etc. Occasionally tried coming down off them but realised it was better to be on them than be dead.

I've been on various ones for 25 years. Literally about 2 years off in total. Sometimes on more than one at a time, at varying doses. I worry about it from time to time but I cannot function otherwise.

I was on them for years, I tried coming off them several times but always ended back on them...
however strangely one morning I woke up and felt totally refreshed and I stopped taking them... I've never felt so good, my head and thoughts are so clear.
I haven't taken anything for over 2 years and would never go back..
I find listening to certain music helps, also walking and getting fresh air..
I know it's easier said than done but you can come off them... you can beat them...